Gym maintenance
One of the key focuses for any hotel gym is to maintain the equipment on a daily basis, for reasons of both safety and duration.
A matter for debate is whether enough emphasis placed on this vital issue.
Le Méridien Al Aqah’s Kannangara says although he believes their property meets top-notch standards, perhaps more needs to be done regionally.
“This emphasis is required to ensure that, as we continue to build a top global hospitality destination, we are striving to meet global standards in every aspect of our hotels,” he asserts.
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At Pullman Hotel, Moula believes gyms in this region are on the right track when it comes to in-house gym care.
“Lately, there’s been a shift in trend where fitness facilities have become a vital factor impacting a guest’s positive preference,” she notes. “As such, hotels are focusing on their equipment and the suppliers behind it — who are consequently raising standards.”
Meanwhile, suppliers believe the key to managing a successful in-house gym is cooperation between themselves and hotel staff.
Raymond Sport’s Kelly asserts that while gym supervision is a key element of good service, equipment maintenance is a job which is best left to the professionals.
“We are specialists,” he explains. “My responsibility is to make sure that we are worthy of the trusted advisor status that our clients attribute to us.”
Others say both parties have a role to play in helping members with their workouts.
“Precor equipment can assist with some instructor tasks, such as devising workout programmes, educating members through tutorial videos and providing motivation through progress tracking,” says the brand’s Pickett.
But he adds: “Although monitoring tools can reduce the need for a constant staff presence, ultimately the needs and expectations of your members will be the decisive factor in staffing.”
Cybex’s Domineau agrees that staffing a fitness facility depends very much on the level of usage at the particular gym; but emphasises that developing “intuitive, safe and durable products” will lessen the burden on any facility.
Meanwhile Technogym is taking further technological steps towards alleviating the burden of in-house supervision from hotels: “We’re currently working on developing a ‘wellness solution’ — self-service software for gyms in residences or hotels that prefer not to invest in a full-time trainer or supervisor, which is integrated into the equipment to enhance the user’s experience and explain the correct use of the machines in a straight-forward manner,” he explains.
Whichever approach an operator takes to stocking and maintaining its fitness facilities, the most important thing is to have a gym that meets the customer's expectations. In the race to attract guests, properties in the Middle East must put in the training and build up their fitness equipment know-how, if they want to ensure they will finish ahead of the competition.
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